Storms, floods and disasters in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon isn’t graded for hazard risk: Mount Vernon has 442 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2024.
What Mount Vernon faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Mount Vernon flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Vernon, from FEMA’s records.
- The June Midwest Flooding3 claims · $33K
Mount Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Davison County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Vernon
Disasters that paid out in Mount Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding42 households applied for aid$359K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$32K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$4K to the City of Mount Vernon for repairs
Davison County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mount Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Vernon archive →Get ready for what Mount Vernon faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Mount Vernon
Does Mount Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Mount Vernon since 2024, $33K in all. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Mount Vernon in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Davison County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Vernon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Mount Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Vernon, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2024): 42 households applied for aid, $359K approved. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $33K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Vernon’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.